X I. P U B L I C  H E A L T H
September — October 1921

LETTERS TO N. A. SEMASHKO.

X *4
9037

[September 13, 1921]

Comrade Semashko,

I am receiving with increasing frequency reports of the most scandalous condition of our health resorts in the Crimea and the Caucasus: bribery, privileges extended to the bourgeoisie while workers are treated with outrageous disregard, and most importantly, complete disorder in medical treatment and, above all, total lack of food supply.

I request that you submit to me the precise information you have on hand immediately.

And then regarding verification methods in greater detail: how many resorts (out of how many) submit proper reports (quantity of provisions for....... number of patients, for personnel, etc.), number of baths (mud baths), etc.

V. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Pres. Council of People's Commissars

XJ>
2390Т

October 24, 1921

Comrade Semashko!

Having signed today the decision of the [Small] Council of People's Commissars regarding two billion (it seems so? I do not recall the exact sum) for the cleanup of Moscow, and having read the "regulation" of the People's Commissariat of Health on the week of improvement of housing ("Izvestiya," No. 2 July), I have arrived at the conclusion that my suspicions (regarding the complete inadequacy of the organization of this entire matter) are growing stronger.

They will take the billions, steal and squander them, and nothing will be accomplished.

* Printed from a machine copy. Ed.